India issued a scathing rebuke of Pakistan at the United Nations, following a televised admission by Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif that his country has supported, trained, and funded terrorist groups. The statement, delivered by Ambassador Yojna Patel, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, came in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 civilian lives—marking the deadliest incident since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Speaking at the launch of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN), Patel said, “It is unfortunate that one particular delegation has chosen to misuse and undermine this forum to indulge in propaganda and make baseless allegations against India.” Referring to the Sky News interview in which Khwaja Asif acknowledged Pakistan’s involvement in backing terrorism for decades, Patel added, “This open confession surprises no one and exposes Pakistan as a rogue state fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region. The world can no longer turn a blind eye.”
Pahalgam Attack Draws Global Condemnation
India has received wide international support following the Pahalgam attack, a tragedy Patel highlighted as the most significant act of terror since 26/11. “This is a testimony to the international community’s zero tolerance for terrorism,” she said. “India appreciates and values the strong, unequivocal solidarity extended by global leaders and governments in the wake of the attack.”
She underlined that the consequences of terrorism extend far beyond the initial act, leaving deep scars on victims, families, and society at large. “Having been a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades, India fully understands the long-lasting impact such acts have,” she noted.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister’s Revelations Spark Global Alarm
The storm was triggered by Asif’s interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim, where he remarked, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that.” His remarks were viewed as a rare, public acknowledgment of Pakistan’s long-denied involvement in supporting extremist factions—first during the Cold War era and later during the post-9/11 conflict landscape.
India seized upon this confession to expose what it describes as Pakistan’s double standards on terrorism. “Perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of terrorism must be held accountable and brought to justice,” Patel said, echoing the UN Security Council’s position.
India Stands Firm on Victims’ Rights and Global Response
Patel emphasized that efforts like the Victims of Terrorism Association Network are vital to strengthening global solidarity and response. “India believes that initiatives like VoTAN are essential to strengthening the global response to terrorism, ensuring that victims remain at the centre of our collective efforts,” she said.
India’s statement not only reaffirmed its longstanding position on cross-border terrorism but also marked a renewed global call for accountability. As the world faces the evolving threat of violent extremism, India’s voice at the UN aims to ensure that confessions such as Asif’s do not pass unchecked.
